The flight to Tampa Monday morning began with the flight attendant on the microphone starting off her safety speech with ‘How ’bout them O’s’. As we hit the shuttle to baggage claim, I saw the Wild Bill Hagy tee shirt and almost started and O-R-I-O-L-E-S chant right there.

While waiting to do live shots for 11 News at 5&6, orange-clad fans stopped by to say hi.
Compared to the fan support for the Rays, which still have a shot at the post season, it’s laughable.

Now, I’m not forgetting that as recently as August, Oriole Park at times suffered puzzingly low attendance. But 15 years of losing took some time to overcome for Baltimore fans. When they recognized the O’s commitment to winning this season, they represented well.

The game didn’t go well for the Orioles. Manny Machado finally looked like a 20-year-old rookie, and Baltimore couldn’t get the clutch hit with 2 outs in the 9th.

Tonight the O’s face a Rays team that no longer has anything for which to play and have to win to keep their hopes of a home playoff game (or even a division title.)

I’ll have live coverage at 5, 6, & 11 on WBAL TV, will join WBAL Radio at 5:35, and even join NBC Sports Network at 6:00 all in preps for the Birds biggest game of the year. So please, stop on by!